HE'S explored some of the remotest regions of South America and Asia.

But seasoned Winchester traveller John Pilkington has found his latest project to be a trip too far.

He has had to take a break from his epic journey through south-east Asia at the halfway stage.

John, 53, is travelling up the 2,700-mile-long Mekong river from Thailand, through Cambodia, Bur-ma, Vietnam, Laos and into China.

He hopes to establish the exact source of the river which has been the subject of academic dispute.

John is a well-known traveller with journeys through remote regions of South America and Asia including the Great Silk Road and Inca Way.

He said: "I'm getting rather fed up with the long trips away for months on end. The Inca journey was just too long. But I am looking forward to going back. Life will be much simpler, a case of just putting one foot in front of the other. You are more in touch with what is around you.

"I love being at home with the luxuries but sometimes you have so many things to think about. You forget what is important, you forget to sniff the flowers.

"Laos is the most fabulous country I have ever been in. It is only just beginning to be opened up and is still tourist-friendly.

"I have never been to south-east Asia. The countries and the peoples are some of the most interesting in the world. Travelling up the river gives me an excuse to visit them."

His journey can be followed on his website, www.pilk.net. He plans to resume his journey at the end of June and returns home in October.